Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Boston?

Bangor, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Bangor than in Boston?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Bangor versus $79,000 in Boston.

Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Boston?

Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Bangor vs Boston Cost of Living 2026

Bangor

Maine

$1,210/mo est.

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,210 in Bangor, ME versus $2,290 in Boston, MA. Overall, Bangor, ME is roughly 47% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,096 in Bangor, ME and $94,755 in Boston, MA — about 39% higher in Boston, MA. Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Bangor, ME

Boston, MA

Rent

Studio

$800

$1,890

+136% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$889

$1,978

+122% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,136

$2,155

+90% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,224

$2,234

+83% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$206,300

$710,400

+244% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$58,096

$94,755

+63% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,960

$66,620

+39% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.7 yr

33.2 yr

+7.5 yr in Bangor, ME

Homeownership

46.9%

35.4%

+11.5 pp in Bangor, ME

Bachelor's+ (25+)

36.3%

54.1%

+17.8 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

17.0 min

30.2 min

+13.2 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

161.4

630.2

+290% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

4,259.8

2,030.8

+52% in Bangor, ME

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

44.3°F

51.5°F

+7.2°F in Boston, MA

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

43.8 in

+1.8 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.07/gal

+3% in Boston, MA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

+0% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.62

$30.66

+3% in Bangor, ME

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

about equal

Average prices — Northeast vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ME / MA)

5.5%

6.25%

+0.8 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

7.15%

9.00%

+1.8 pp in MA

Bangor vs Boston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bangor or Boston?: Bangor, ME is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bangor than in Boston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Bangor versus $79,000 in Boston.
Which has lower taxes, Bangor or Boston?: Bangor is taxed under Maine's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).